Nets’ Kidd talking to Bucks about job

NEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn coach Jason Kidd is talking to the Milwaukee Bucks about a position after losing his bid for front-office power with the Nets, a person with knowledge of the details said Saturday.

Jason Kidd (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Nets denied Kidd's request and then told him he was free to talk to other teams about jobs, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no official comments were made about the situation. The Bucks then sought and were granted permission to interview Kidd.

The news was first reported by the New York Post.

Kidd just finished his first season as coach, leading the Nets to a 44-38 record and a second-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat. It's unclear what role the Bucks would be interested in him for, since they have both coach Larry Drew and general manager John Hammond under contract.

Kidd is close with new Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, who along with Wes Edens recently bought the team for $550 million.

The Nets hired Kidd in June 2013 about a month after he had ended a 19-year playing career. He led the Nets to their greatest NBA success as a player, a pair of NBA Finals appearances, and they retired his number before a preseason game.

He also owns a small share of the team and was instrumental in helping convince Kevin Garnett to waive his no-trade clause and accept a trade to Brooklyn along with Paul Pierce last June.

But the Nets weren't interested in having him atop the basketball operations department that general manager Billy King has led since 2010.

Kidd had a rocky beginning to his coaching tenure, getting fined $50,000 for intentionally spilling a drink on the court to delay a game during the Nets' 10-21 start. But he won a pair of Eastern Conference coach of the month honors later in the season as Brooklyn surged to a playoff spot.

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